Apparatus for milking cows.



H. DROUTLEGE. APPARATUS FOR MILKING COWS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. I915- At'kornej UNITED sTAtrEs PATENT. OFFICE HENRY DROUTLEGE, OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.

APPARATUS FOR -MII1KING COWS.

Specification of Letters Ratent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

,Applieation filed May 28, 1915. Serial No. 30,872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, HENRY Dnon'rnnon, a citizenof the Dominion of New Zealand, and residin at 47 Vermont street, Ponsonby, Auck and, in the Provincial District of Auckland, in the Dominion of New Zea land, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Milking (lows, of which the following is a specificatlon.

This invention relates to apparatus for milkin cows and provides improvements in the puTsator, the teat cups, the cradle, and. the releaser of such apparatus.

The pulsator comprlses two cylinders each cylinder having an extension of smaller diameter and pistons fitting each cylinder and its extension. The space between the pistons in one cylinder is constantly open to the atmosphere and the corresponding space between the'pistons of the other cylinder is constantly open to an air exhauster.

The s aces betweenthe ends of the cylinder and tie pistons are alternately open to the atmosphere and the air exhauster. The pistons travel. in the cylinderunder atmospheric pressure, andports in the cylinders are alternately opened by the pistons to at- 'mospheric pressure-and to the air exhauster.

These ports communicate with pipes leading to the teat cups, the linings of which are thereb pulsated.

In t e teat cup the lower end of therubber liner or inflater tube is held between a circular plate and a flanged disk which passes freely upon a, screwed nipple projecting from the plate; A wing nut screwed on the nipple. forces the disk toward the plate.

he claw or cradle is provided with means for admittingsuflicient air to the milk pipes to allow the milk to flow freely.

The releaser comprises a receiver and one or more reciprocating chambers. There are usually two of such chambers and they are alternatelybrought by their reciprocation into correspondence with an outlet from the receiver, and receive a charge of milk there from. The milk is discharged through a valve with which each chamber is PIOVldBd,

and which is normally kept upon its seat by gravity and by the vacuum in the receiver.

The motor for driving the releaser comprises acylinder having its iston rod connectcd to the reciprocating c iambers of the releaser. A slide valve on the cylinder consists of a plate perforated with two ports and having a recess. which is constantly open to an air exhauster. The ports and recess are brought alternately into communication with eccentric from the face of which a pin projects. This pin enters the end of a connecting rod, the other end of which is connected to the piston rod. The pin is given lateral play'in the connecting rod, so that at each reversal of the stroke of the slide valve, the momentum of a fly wheel travels the slide valve a certain distance before the chambers move.

The improvements will now be described in detail by aid of the'accompanying draw- Figure 1, is a. diagrammatic sectional ele- The vacuum pipe, 1 is connected to any;

suitable exhauster which will exhaust air from the vacuum tank 2 and the'vacuum pipe 3.

Cylinders 5 am 5 have respectively extensions 6" and 6 of smaller diameter. A

ports leading to the ends of the cyl inder. The slide valve is reciprocated by an of a milk claw partition air-separates the extension 6" fronr the extension 6'. The extension 6 is en-' circled-by an annular chamber T, and simig larly the extension 6 is encircled by an an? nular chamber 7. The chnn'iber T coninnlnlcates with the extension 6 by'-means of ports 15, and the chamber 7 con'imunicates.

with the extension 6 by ports 16. Pistons 10 and 11 connected together by a rod 13 fit the cylinder 5" and the extension 6 respectively, and the pistons 9 and 12 con-- a rod 13" fit the cylinder nected. together by 5 and the extension 6 respectively.

.A pipe 14, communicating with the cylinder 5, 1S connected thereto by a union nut 17,

and a pipe 14, fixed at one end. to the pipe 14, communicates with the cylinder 5", and F the chamber 7.

'stantly open to the space V.

1 11 when in use.

The pipe 14 1:111 1 1111111i1ates with the at- Inospln-rre by air inlets 25.

The space V- between the pistons U 111111 12 is'1ronsta11tl1' open to the vacuum pipe 3 through the ,pipeit so long as the cock 2?} is open, 111111 the space )1 between the pistons 10 and 11 is constantly open to the atmosphere through the pipe 1 111111 its holes 25.

A tube or passage 2.!) Forms a connnnnica tion between a port 32 near the outer 1 1111 111' the cylinder 5 and the chamber 7. Another tube or passage 30 forms a communication between a per 3' near the outer 111111 1111 the cylinder 5 111111 the 1111111111 11. 7. Another tube or passage 51 forms a11111111111111ication between a port 52 near the inner 11111.1 of the extension (5 and the port 525 in the inner 1 1111 of the cylinder The space V is thus eon Another tube 54 forms aconnnunicution between a port 55 in the inner end of the cylinder 5 and a port 56 near the inner end of the extension 6". The space A is thus constantly open to the atmosphere.

,The pistons have projections '37 which act as buti'ersWhich 111111111 into contact with the covers \V and or the partition 1/: 111111 limit the travel of the pistons.

The 1111111 pipe 38 leading to a releaser to be-1les1'zril1e1l hereii-nitter is connected to the 1111111 pipe 40 of -a 1111111111 111' the 111 11111111 way. The pulsation tube 40'1111 such 1:1-111111- is connected by :1 111111-41 211111 a 111111111 27 to When the releaser is not usc1l,

'thensual vacuum 1111111 bucket -13 is connected b a pipe 42, 111111 stop cook 28 to the space 'V? between the pistons 9 111111 12. con stant vacuum is thus niainl'aine1l 111 the 1111111 bucket. which is connected to the 1111.111 pipe 57 of another 111111111 by a flexible pipe 44. The pulsati n 1.11111 1321 111' the latter cra- 1lle' is connected b v a tube 411 111111 a nipple- 26 to the chamber 7";

The vacuum tank 2 is 11111111 in two parts, 111-111 together by cluspine' screws 2. An upperpart has :1 111 111 1111 11. to prevent vapor or other matter 1'ro1n 111-111;;- rlr-awu E'rom l'l](,:|)l1)t' 25 into the air exhausler. part ol 1111 1111111 2 has a 11raw oll' cock- 1.

.ri'n1s ol" the two parts have llann'es 18 1111 11 t1-l1 s11op1 1l together. an1l an airtight joiul isnunhb a rubber washer 50. i

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, whi h shows a device l'or arhnitting air to 1.111- n1ill1 pipe 37111' 1111- 1111111111, 111 the 1111111 pipes 111' 1111- 1-law 111111 to the flexible pipes connecting the pipes 58 to the teat cups shown in Fig. 1 to 1111. hereinafter 1le- 111-rib111|:-1\. tube .3!) having ports 13-. 11111161 eonnnunieating 111111 the pipes 133 11111.1 71'? re sper-tivelv. contains a slide valve 60 which 1111111111111 is 111 111 over 111111 closes the 110113.641 by a light spring 151.. The tube has an end 135 in'which is a port (1'8. taxable on the end of the tube 719111 milling its r1111 over the flange 136 formed 1111 the tube. The cap has a port adapted to be brought into correspon11111ice with the port (3H when the cap is tin-111111, tor the purpose- 111 1111111111111 air inany desired quantity to the 1111111 pipe The other end of the tube has acap I15) removable for cleaning purposes.

111 111 1111 to 1 14'. 1, the casing of the teat. cup open at the bottom 111111 provided with an internal shoulder 71, has a cap 721 which screws upon the casing and grips the upper 111111 111' the rubber lining 72-5 against the top 111 the casing. The bottom-111111 111? the lining is gripped between a plate 74 111111 11111 111111111111 1 113111 75 111' a dish 713 by means 111' a wing nut 77 screwed upon a nipple 78 of the plate 74. A nipple TS) in tl11 'si1le of the casinggis connected to a clawbranch H0 by a flexible tube 81.

The plate 7 1 211111 the disk 7 are first 11.11 11 in. position on the bottom of the lining 73,

1\'hi1-h is then inserted in the casing- 70, its

The releaser chambers Ht; 111111 87 having an 1111 11111 11 haso'SB are reeiproral1-11 by a piston 11111 91) upon a sli1le bracket 8!) having an inclinml 111111511.

. '1111- chambers f; 111111 87 have an inclin1 1l' valve 111 -1 12 eounnon to both whichslhles against :1 1-orr1-spou1liugly inclined l'are 1);, 111' 1111 bracket. T111 bra1-l11 l. has a socket 91 which his upon :1 spigot 95 projecting l'roni 1111 1'1-1-1-1v1 r. an airtight joint b11111 111111111 by a rubber washer W1.

T111 in1'linulion 111 1111- 111-11 111' the s|i1le bra ket causes 1111 valve l'are U2 to press against 1111- 1111 1 113 111111 Hills to lit airlight...

1111111 ol' 1.111111 1011111 1 chambers H11 an1l RT 1111s a port 97 111111 518 respvrtivelv, which portsalternately 1-on111 into rorrespoin11 111'1- with :1 port-1 1) in 1111- 1111-1 11 1. 1111 said port 11'.) 1'1mllillllil ul111;! by a pipe. 11111 with the A cap (17 is'roi were valve 101 and 102 respectively, which valves are pivoted at their upper ends and tend to close by ravity. The re easer chambers 86 and 87 are shown tubular in shape but they can be made in any convenient form provided they are adapted to be reciprocated across the openin 103 of the spigot 95 and thereby alternate y become charged with milk from the receiver, vacuum being produced in each chamber alternately through the pipe 100, and air being admitted when the ports 97 and 98 respectively come into correspondence with slotted openings 105 and 106 through the face 93 of the bracketgithereby causing the milk to flow out ,tl'irotighthe valves 101 and 102. k

A single releaser chamber can beused and receive and discharge milk alternately as it is reciprocated in the manner described. In that-case the milk accumulates in the re ceiver during the time that the releaser chamberis being discharged.

The releaser chambers 86 and 87 are reciprocated by a piston 108 working in a cylinder 109. and fixed upon the piston rod 90. The slide valve 110 consists of a plate having ports 111 and 112 and a recess 113. A port 114 in the valve face-115 of the cylinder is in communication with the vacuum pipe 3 by means "of a pipe 116, and the said port 114 in constant communication with the recess'113. Ports 118 and 119 extend from the valve face-115 to the respective endsof thecylinder? Theports are arranged as shown in Fig. 7 s0' that when port 118 is open to the atmosphere, then port 119 isopen to the recess 113, and vice versa.

The slide valve 110 is reciprocated by means of a connecting rod 120 pivoted upon a pin 121 projecting from the piston rod 90. The other end 122 of the rod 120 re ceives a pin 123 projecting from theface of an eccentric 124. Lost motion is rovided by elongating the hole in the en 122.

' The movement of the eccentric is communicated to the, slide valve 'by an eccentricrod 12.5. A fly wheel 127 is mounted'u'pon the shaft 126 oftheeccentric.

The apparatus operates as -follows:--

When the pistons are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, and the-space V is open to the air exhauster, the milk bucket 43' and the space V are open to the space V by the pipes. 42 and. 51 respectively while the space A is open to the atmosphere and the spaces A and I and the pulsation pipe 63 are open: tothe" space A by the pipes 561, .29 t

and 46 respectively.

The area of the piston 9 exposed to air pressure being greater than thearea of the piston 12 similarly exposed, the pistons 9 and 12 slide forward in the direction shown by the arrow. The piston 12 crosses the ports 16 and the chamber 7, the inflation pipe 40' and the space I (by means of the iiipe30) being opened to the air exhauster. .The area of the piston 10 exposed to air pressure being now reater than .the area of the piston 11 simi arly exposedgthe pistons 10 and 11 move forward in the. direction shown by the arrow. The piston 11 crosses the ports 15 and opens the chamber 7 and the inflation pipe 63 to the air exhauster. The space I being in communication with the chamber 7 by the pipe 29, is now exhausted of air when the pistons 9 and 12 return to the position shown on the drawing and the operations recommence.

The milk pipes 57 and 40 and the claw branches 58 are constantly open to the air exhauster and these branches are connected to the nipples 78 of the teat cups. The interior of the lining 73 is thus constantly the necessary pulsations for milking purposes are thus given.

When the pipe 41 01-46 is open to the air cxhauster, air 1s drawn from the pipe 59, and the port 68 being in correspondence with the port 69, the atmospheric pressure forces forward the valve 60aga'inst the pressure of the spring 61. 4

The port 6 1 is uncovered and air is ad mitted to the milk pipe 57 or 40. When the said pipe 41 or 16 is open to the'atmosphere, the air pressure and the spring 61 return the valve 60 to the (position shown in Fig. 3.

When a consi erable number of cows have to be milked simultaneously, a releaser or releasers are used in place of the milk bucket 43. As shown in Figs. 5, 6,'and 7, the piston 108 is commencing its return stroke. The momentum of the flywheel 127 moves the slide valve 110 by means of the eccentric 124 whilethe pin 123 is moved idl in the elongated hole in the end 122. At

l; end of its stroke the slide valve commences its travel before the piston rod commencesto move, the port 119 is connected to the port 114 by the recess 113, the port 111 is put into correspondence with the port 118, the air is exhausted from the c linder. through the port 119, air is admitted t rough,

1. In apparatus for milking cows, a pulsator comprising two cylinders, an exten- S1011 of smaller diameter to each cylinder, pistons conncctedtogether in two pairs and lilting the cylinders and tilting: the cylinders and the'extensions, means l'or maintainingthe spaces at one of the ends of each extension constantly open to theatmosphere and thespa es at the other ends ol' each extension constantly exhausted of air, means \\'here|i th spaces between the ends of the cylinders and the pistons are alternatetr open to the atmos phereand exhausted of air, and a pulsation tube communicatim with each cylinder extension at the center of the stroke ol' the part ot the piston operating therein.

2. in apparatus 'l'or'inilltine cows. a pulsator comprising two cylinders, an,exlension of si'naller diameter to each cylinder and provided with lateral ports, pistons connected in two pairs together and fitting the cylim lers and the extensions, and means for 'maintaining the space between the pistons alternately opened to the atmosphere and,

exhausted ol' air by tho IJIFUHIS crossing. said ports in the extensions, \Z(ill'l]ill5llll' pa."-

"sages connecting said ports with the said spaces at theends ot the cylinders. aml a pulsation tubeconunnnieatine with each extension in the same cross sectional plane thereol' as the said ports.

3. .ln ap ntratus l or nilltingl cows. a pulsalor comprising two cylii'iders, an extension ol smaller diameter to each cylinder and. provideil with lateral port's, ])l. 'i()l|.\' connectci together in two pairs and tilting the cvlindcrs and the extensions. means for maintaining the space between the pistons in one cylinder in constant connection with the atmosphere a| |d the inner end of the exten ionol' the, same t.'. -'linder in connection with an air exhauster. means for maintaining' the corn-sponding space between the pistons in the other ylinder iii-constant connection with the air exlpuist'er and the inner end ol the extension of the said other cylinder in connection with the atmosphere, annular chamlnns e.neirclin, the extensions and connectta'l therewith by ports, and a pipe leading From each of the chambers to .the end of the other eylindei-'. the pistons of the extensions crossing; the said ports whereby the chambers aml the. ends oi the cylinders are alternately open to the atmosphere and to the connection with the air exliausler.

ln apparatus for milking cows, a palsator comprisng two cylinders, an extension of smaller diameter to each cylinder, pistons connected together in two pairs and the extensions. pipes connected together at their ends and leading to the spaces between the pistons of the c 'liin.lers, a nipple uponone pipe, at

\aelllnn pipe. a stop cock on the vacuumi' pipe and baring: a socket wherein thonip plitits. a rubber washer making a tight joint bel ween the nipple and socket, and the I other pipe llt'lllfl open to the atmosphere by means of ports. the said pipes and stop cock forming: a support for the pals-liter.-

.3, ln apparatus for milking cows, a pulsalor compri hig two cylinders. an extenion ol smaller diameter to each cylinder, pistons connected together in two pairs and tiltingthe c \'linders and the extensions, means for maintaining the space between the pistons of one \'ll|u|el" constantly open t the atmosphere and the corresponding space in the other cylitnler onstantly PX- lrausted ol' air. almular chambers encircling the extensions aml connected thermrith by ports. a tube uponeaeh cylinder whereby the end ol each cylinder is connected to the annular chamber encircling the extension ol' the other c\'linder. a lube conmatingl' the space in the cylinder open to the air ex 'hauster between the pistons aml the end of the extension to the other cylinder and a tori-espoinline tube connecting the space in the ylinder open to the atmosphere be tween the pistons and tlle end of the extension to the other cylinder.

3. ln apparatus 'l'or milking cows, a puisator comprising two cylinders, an' extension ot smaller diameter to each cylinder, pistons connected together in two pairs and litting the crhndcrs and extensions, means l'or maintaining the space. between the pistons in one cylinder (t-instantly open to the atniosplnrre and thecorrespomling space in the other cylinder in. constant connection with an air-exhaustt means whereby the spaces between the pistons and the ends of the c \'linders are alternately opened to the atmospln-re and to the air-exhaust, annular chambers encirclingthe extensions and con neeted therewith by ports, tubes adapted to connectthe annular chambers to the pulsation pipes ol a milk cradle, and a pipe .adapted to connect a-milk bucket to' the space exhausted olair between the pistons.

7. In apparatus for milking cows, a pulsator comprising two cylinders. an extension of smaller diameter to each cylinder, pistons connected together in two pairs and fitting the cylinders and extensions, means for maintaining: the space between the. pistons in one cylinder constantly open to the atmosphere 'and the ('()l'l0!-i])(.)ll(til'\,!, space in the other cylinder;constantly exhausted of air. means whereby the spaces between this ends 01" the cylinders and the pistons are alternately open to the atmosphere and ex-' hausted ol air. a milk pipe and a cradle, a flexible pipe comweting, the milk pipe and cradle, a milk rcleaser npon the milk pipe, and means for connecting said cradle to the part of one of the cylinders which is 1'11- ,tt frnately open to atmosphere and exhausted 0 am In apparatus for milking cows, a milk cradle having milk and pulsation pipes, an air tube having ports communicating with the milk pipe and pulsation pipe of the cradle, a valve sildable in the air tube and a light spring normally holding the valve over one of the said ports.

9. In apparatus for milking cows, a milk cradle having milk and pulsation pipes, an air tube having a closed end and having ports connnunicating with the milk pipe and pulsation pipe of the cradle, a valve slidable in the air tube and a light spring normally holding the valve over one of the said ports, a cap rotatable upon said closed end of the tube, said closed endand the cap having ports adapted to be brought into correspondence and a cap at the other end of the tube and removable for cleaning purposes. I

10. In apparatus for milking cows, a teat cup comprising a casing with an internal shoulder, a rubber lining in the casing, a cap gripping the top of the lining, a plate fitting the interior of the lining and adapted to close the same against the internal shoulder, nipple upon the plate, a disk having a flange for gripping the lining against the plate, means for forcing the disk and plate toward one another, and a nipple upon the casing communicating with the exterior. of the lining.

11. In apparatus for milking cows, the combination with a milk receiver having an opening, of a reciprocating releaser cham- \berhaving an opening, adapted to register wit the first mentioned opening to permit mil topass from said receiver into' said releasing chamber, means for actuating said chamber, and means for subsequently discharging the milk from said chamber.

the milk is then discharged from the chambers.

13. In apparatus for milking cows, a milk receiver, a bracket attached to the milk.

receiver having an opening therethrough from the receiver and an inclined bed, sliding chambers having a correspondingly inclined base, means for reciprocating the chambers'across said opening in the bra cltet,

whereby said chambers one after the other receive milk fromthe receiver, and'means whereby the milk is discharged from the chambers.

14. In apparatus for milking cows, a milk receiver havinn a ort open to an air exhauster and a milk opening, one or more releasing chambers, means for reciprocating the chambers across said opening of the re leaser, and an outflow valve upon each releasing" chamber.

15. In apparatus for milking cows, a milk receiver, milk releasing chambers having in common an, inclined valve face, a bracket having a corresponding face upon which the releasing chambers slide and through which is an opening leading to the milkreceiver.

16. In apparatus for milking cows, a milk releaser coi. prising a receiver, means -for connecting the receiver to an airiexhauster,

a milk pipe connected to the receiver, releaser chambers having an inclined base, a slide bracket having an inclined bed upon which the releaser chambers are reciprocated and a port thercthrough, a socket on the bracket at said port, a spigot upon the receiver fitting the said socket, each of the said chambers having a port which ports alternately come into correspondence with said port in thefaec of the bracket, and an outlet valve upon each of the chambers.

17. In apparatus for milking cows, a; re- ]easer, releasing chambers slidable on the releaser,"a, piston. and piston rod connected to the releasing chambers, a cylinder wherein the piston is slidable, a slide valve consisting of a plate having ports and a recess, a pipe adapted to connect an air exhau'ster to the releaser. a branch pipe connecting the said pipe to a port in the cylinder, the said port being in constant communication with the recess in the valve, ports communicating with the respective ends of the cylinder, the

said orts being brought alternately into two witnesses;

HENRY DROUTLEGE. Witnesses:

A.'IJ- Fnnnnmouon, R. Arromsou. 

